The Governor of Maryland, currently Robert Ehrlich, heads the executive branch of the U.S. state of Maryland.

Like most state chief executives in the United States, the Maryland governor is elected by the people to serve a four-year term. A governor is constitutionally prohibited from serving more than two consecutive terms.

The governor's cabinet is known as the Executive Council. The governor also serves as the chair of the Board of Public Works, whose other members are the Comptroller and the Treasurer. This Board has broad powers in overseeing and approving the spending of state funds.

The governor has power to veto laws passed by the state's legislature and also has a line item veto, which can be used to strike certain portions of appropriations bills. The state legislature can override a veto by three-fifths vote of the total number of members in each house.

The appointment powers of the governor are extensive as he or she appoints almost all military and civil officers of the State—subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. In addition to appointing the heads of major departments, boards, and commissions of the State government, the Governor appoints certain boards and commissions in each county and the City of Baltimore, as provided for by law. The Governor also commissions notaries public and appoints persons to fill vacancies in the offices of Attorney General and Comptroller (both of which are normally elected by the people) and seats in the General Assembly. Any officer appointed by the Governor, except a member of the General Assembly, is removable by him for cause.

The governor is commander-in-chief of the military forces of the State, the National Guard, except when such forces are called into the national service by the President of the United States. If the National Guard is called into national service, the Governor may establish a State Guard. In times of public emergency the Governor has certain emergency powers as defined by law.

The governor lives in Government House, a Georgian mansion adjacent to the state capitol building.

See also: List of Governors of Maryland